Medical Meditation: Say Om Before Surgery

In my work as a cardiovascular surgeon, I use the most sophisticated tools of modern medicine to separate patients from their diseased hearts and replace these organs with healthy ones. While my training was in the science of the Western world, I also rely heavily on an ancient Eastern technique--meditation--to help my patients prepare for surgery and to steer them gently toward recovery. Why? Because it works.

Every patient who comes to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City for a heart operation is offered an optional program of massage, yoga and meditation. We sell specially prepared 90-minute audiotapes...